Commuter Bible OT John Ross

The clans and families of Israel are settling into their apportioned lands and beginning to find rest when a report spreads across the lands that the tribes on the other side of the Jordan are rebelling against God. It has been told that a replica of the Lord’s altar has been made across the river where the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh reside. The other tribes ready themselves for war, knowing that God is a jealous God, and they head out to confront their brothers. When they arrive, however, they find that their zealous action was in haste. After many years pass, Joshua gives a farewell address to the people of Israel before he dies.

Now that the majority of the Promised Land has been conquered, the land is being divided by lot and by size according to the number of people in each tribe. Today’s reading is the last section of text detailing the division of the land, and as a reminder from the last episode, consider the excitement and the joy that Israel experienced as each family learned where they would live and work and thrive for generations to come. While the descriptions may seem abstract to us, they were concrete and tangible pieces of land for Israel. Today’s reading ends with a joyful conclusion, so make sure to pay attention.

The work of conquering the Promised Land, in large part, has come to a close. Now it’s time to divide the land between the clans of Israel as Moses had instructed. To our modern ears, much of what we’ll hear today may not seem important or relevant, but to Israel, it sounded like real estate. If you and your family had been given large sums of land and houses by the work of God’s mighty hand, wouldn’t you find it important that the details about property lines be recorded for you and for future generations? Additionally, listen for those instances where Israel does not completely destroy those who had inhabited the land. This is evidence of Israel’s disobedience and a prelude to the problems presented in Israel’s forthcoming history.

In our last episode, a coalition of nations conspired to fight against Israel, but they are no match for those with whom the Lord has covenanted, and God sends a natural disaster that lays waste to more men than the Israelites slay by the sword. Today, another set of kings sets their sites on extinguishing Israel. The northern cities and their kings will soon be defeated, included those men called Anakim, those whom the original party of spies feared so much, saying they felt like grasshoppers in their presence. Now, Israel returns with a new generation led by Joshua and Caleb, the Lord’s faithful spies who are the only men left of the former generation.

In our last episode, Joshua and his troops defeated Jericho, but one man chose to reject God’s command to set apart everything for destruction, which led to a heartbreaking defeat at Ai and a difficult task for Joshua. After the guilty party is stoned, the Lord turns from his burning anger and Joshua leads the people to victory. The nations hear of Israel’s conquests and plan to form a coalition and fight against Israel, but the inhabitants of Gibeon decide to take a different approach. Later, the sun stands still as Joshua fights the Amorites and the Lord kills more of their foes with hail than Israel kills with the sword.

Joshua and the nation of Israel have crossed the Jordan and are now in the land that the Lord swore to give to his people. As you may recall, this is a new generation of Israelites; the former generation has passed away except for Joshua and Caleb. This generation has yet to be circumcised, and so the Lord instructs Joshua to have them circumcised. Outside of Jericho, they observe the Passover, after which the manna from heaven ceases to appear. The Lord gives Joshua instructions for conquering Jericho, and after executing the instructions faithfully, the walls of the city fall to the ground. When they attack the city, however, they disobey the Lord’s commands, and it results in judgment.